Written question asked by David Cairns (Labour) on Monday, 4 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 March 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 18 March 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, What the strategic employment implications are of the revised procurement strategy for Type 45 destroyers; and if he will make a statement. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strategic employment implications are of the revised procurement strategy for Type 45 destroyers; and if he will make a statement. [40934] Dr. Moonie: The revised procurement strategy for the Type 45 destroyer, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 10 July 2001, shares work on the first batch of ships between BAE Systems Marine and Vosper Thornycroft. On 18 February 2002, my noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement announced that a contractual commitment had been made for a further three Type 45 platforms, bringing the total number of ships on contract to six. BAE Systems Marine has confirmed that, once the construction programme is fully up and running, work on Type 45 vessels will sustain a steady level of some 1,250 jobs on the Clyde and about a further 900 jobs at Barrow-in-Furness well into this decade. Vosper Thornycroft estimate that the planned Type 45 work should sustain a steady level of some 800 jobs on the south coast over a similar period.

Secondary information